There are many sleep aid, dietary-supplement products from the nutrition section of your local grocery or health food store. Some from big-name-brand, dietary-supplement companies. Can you take for granted that melatonin is therefore natural?

A dictionary definition of natural is “existing in or caused by nature; not made or caused by humankind.”

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin used by our bodies is a hormone produced by the pineal gland. In his television episode, “Melatonin: Not a Magic Bullet for Sleep,” Dr. Oz states,

“Melatonin is a hormone. It tells your body that it’s nighttime and it’s time to go to bed. It is not an herb, a vitamin, or a mineral. Hormones are naturally produced by your body as you need them. Which means it is very unlikely that someone has a melatonin deficiency. While a melatonin supplement could be considered natural, in most cases, it doesn’t come from the earth.”1

Using Melatonin is essentially undergoing hormone therapy. Any hormone therapy regiment should be carefully administered by a qualified practitioner so as to not create an imbalance or worse: unwanted side effects, thus potentially doing more harm than good. Melatonin is not a sleep hormone but is a stress hormone. Improper supplementation could trick the body to reduce the natural melatonin hormone it produces and excess amounts from supplementation can stress the body.

Where does Melatonin come from?

Bovine grade melatonin, also known as “natural”, or animal, contains the actual extracts of the pineal gland. Because it comes from animal tissue, this grade of melatonin may be accompanied by viruses or proteins that could cause an antibody response. It is highly recommend that people stay away from it.

The alternative substance used in dietary supplements is synthetic or pharmacy grade melatonin C13H16N2O2, or 5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine, which is a compound produced in a laboratory from pharmaceutical grade ingredients.2

To summarize so far, Melatonin:

Is a synthetic hormone used in dietary supplements

Is not an herb, vitamin or mineral

Does not come from the earth

According to the definition of natural, melatonin, which is “made or caused by humankind”, isnot natural.

Is Melatonin Safe to Use?

“The word ‘safe’ is used very freely and loosely with this drug,” (David Kennaway, University of Adelaide)4.

“Any person in the sleep world will tell you the same thing: melatonin is not harmless, is vastly overused and should not be used as a sleep aid to treat insomnia,” (Michael Grandner, a sleep researcher at the University of Arizona)4.

Again referring to the television episode, “Melatonin: Not a Magic Bullet for Sleep,” Dr. Oz states that possible side effects from doses of melatonin (2-3 mg or higher) include1:

Headaches

Nausea

Next-day grogginess

Hormone fluctuations

Vivid dreams and Nightmares

Additionally,

Short-term feelings of depression (Dr. Axe)

And impaired sex drive (Dr. Sam Robbins)

Valerian Root: The Natural, Safe & Effective Choice

The Valerian plant (Valeriana officinalis) is native to both Europe and Asia and is now also grown in North America, has long been used medicinally, particularly for sleep -- the ancient Greeks wrote about its power in treating sleeplessness. It is the plant’s root that is cultivated and processed for use in supplements.3

It has a sedative effect and useful in treating insomnia, particularly in helping to reduce the amount of time that it takes to fall asleep. Valerian is regarded as a mild tranquilizer and has been deemed safe by the German Commission E for treating sleep disorders brought on by nervous conditions. Unlike prescription or OTC sleep and anxiety medication, valerian is not habit-forming, nor does it produce a hang-over-like side effect.3

Valerian root has been used for centuries to regulate the nervous system and relieve insomnia, tension, irritability, stress, and anxiety. Valerian is also a natural pain reliever that reduces sensitivity of the nerves.3

Back to our definition of “natural”, valerian rootis “existing in or caused by nature.” Valerian root is natural.

It is safe and effective in treating sleep disorders, nervous conditions as well as other important health benefits.

NutriRain’s Delta Sleep utilizes fresh valerian root extracted within hours of harvesting. Fresh extract is a superior form of valerian root compared to common dry powders. First, fresh Valerian root is naturally extracted using a proprietary cold percolation process for peak purity and potency (a 4:1 concentration). Second while dry valerian found in most sleep aid dietary supplements will calm nerves, fresh valerian extract provides a broader application of benefits which include effectively supporting improved sleep quality, duration, relaxation and relief from stress and anxiety. Dry valerian found in most dietary supplements will calm nerves. Lastly liquid extracts such as NutriRain’s Delta Sleep, are naturally broken down through the extraction process so as to be more easily, quickly, and fully absorbed and utilized by the body. It can be purchased at www.nutrirain.com .

October 12, 2017

We at NutriRain were fortunate enough to become acquainted with Dr. Ward Bond a few months ago. We because of similar nutritional philosophies he was kind enough to evaluate and post a reviewendorsing NutriRain products. We are impressed with his knowledge and experience as an exceptional leader in the natural lifestyle industry. He has a sincere passion to educate and help people experience optimal health through natural means. The answer is in nature. From his DrWardBond.com webpage:

Dr. Bond is widely known from his writings, his television and radio appearances, and his lectures, as one of America’s most prominent authorities on what has become a "hot" topic: the use of natural, safe supplements to combat problems of our health and to head off potential problems associated with aging.

Dr. Bond hosts the daily television program,“Dr. Bond’s THINK NATURAL” which airs across the United States in 46 million households on CTN, DirecTV (Channel 376) and Dish TV (Channel 262) Dr. Bond has currently filmed over 1,900 episodes of THINK NATURAL. “Dr. Bond’s THINK NATURAL” is an exciting and informative television program that takes viewers daily into the world of natural medicine, exercise, eating right and taking care of your pets. Ward Bond, Ph.D. whose distinctive blend of teaching, fun facts, and interviewing the top experts in the field of natural health has made him the hottest nutritionist in America today. In past seasons, he’s covered subjects ranging from anti-aging secrets, cardiologist-approved nutrition, improving digestive health; and bringing back the ancient discoveries of natural healing found around the world and much, much more!

Dr. Bond hosts the weekly radio program, “Dr. Ward Bond’s Life Changing Wellness” an exciting and informative half hour radio program that takes listeners into the world of natural medicine, nutrition and reversing disease the natural way. Ward Bond, Ph.D. whose distinctive blend of teaching, fun facts, and interviews the top experts in the field of health has made him one of the most sought after voices of health and wellness in America today. This program is about natural health solutions, inspiring stories and life changing tips to get your body, mind and spirit going in the right direction. He interviews the top experts in health, nutrition, fitness, as well as celebrities, athletes and those who make a difference in everyone’s wellbeing and more. ​​A new episode debuts every Wednesday morning for your listening pleasure and available on The radio program will be available on RadioMD.com, iTunes, TuneIn, Android, Stitcher, and iHeartRadio

Dr. Bond has appeared on DayStar's Celebration, many ABC, NBC and Fox affiliates discussing the benefits of natural health.

Dr. Bond accomplishments:

First to create the only oral nutritional program for Interstitial Cystitis.

First to bring awareness to the use of Hyaluronic Acid for Arthritis.

Created a very successful Hepatitis C Support Program to help reverse elevated liver enzymes and viral load counts, as well as reduce damage to the liver.

Created a very successful Multiple Sclerosis Support Program to help stop MS flare-ups and provide vital nutrients that feed the myelin sheath and the nervous system.

Created a very successful, yet simple program for Lyme Disease and Weak Kidney Function caused by Diabetes and High Blood Pressure.

March 23, 2017

Wouldn't you love to find a brownie recipe that is both healthy and tastes great? This brownie delivers both and is quick to prepare! It is gluten-free and vegan. Try it out and let us know what you think. We found this courtesy of rawfoodrecipes.com.

Ingredients:

1 cup medjool dates

1/2 cup organic almond butter

1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pistachios, etc.)

1/4 cup dark vegan mini chocolate chips

2 tablespoons organic coca powder

1 tablespoon purified / filtered water

2 teaspoons organic lucuma powder (optional)

1/8 teaspoon organic vanilla bean powder

1 pinch Himalayan pink salt

Instructions (takes about 10 minutes):

Mix all ingredients except for the nuts and chocolate chips in a food processor.

Remove from the food processor, place in a bowel and fold in nuts and chocolate chips.

Your immune system works hard to protect you from germs, viruses, and chronic illness. It could use your help. Here are some ways to provide your immune system with a well deserved boost and be healthy during this winter season.

1. Get adequate sleep.You’re more likely to catch a cold or other infection when you’re not getting enough sleep as the following lab experiment demonstrates: When students at the University of Chicago were limited to only 4 hours of sleep a night for 6 nights and then given a flu vaccine, their immune systems made only half the normal number of antibodies.

Lack of sleep can also lead to higher levels of a stress hormone and may also lead to more inflammation in your body.

2. Exercise regularly.Even a daily 30-minute walk can help your immune system fight infection better. Exercise can also boost your body's feel-good chemicals (endorphins) and help you sleep better. Both of which improve your immune system.

3. Eat a healthy diet.Consumption of sugar curbs immune system cells that attack bacteria which can last for at least a few hours. Instead, eat more brightly colored fruits and vegetables including berries, citrus fruits, apples, red grapes, kale onions, spinach, garlic, sweet potatoes and carrots. These are rich in nutrients like vitamins C and E, plus beta-carotene and zinc. Consider making a green smoothie drink. A good one is found on GreenSmoothieGirl.com1.

Some botanicals have shown historically to provide immune boosting properties. Echinacea for example, encourages white blood cells and lymphocytes to attack invading organisms, thus increasing the number and activity of immune system cells. Elderberry (Sambucus) is high in a type of antioxidant called anthocyanins, which can help alleviate bothersome cold/flu symptoms. It also contains a property that stimulates the body's own defenses by producing anti-inflammatory molecules called cytokines.

A study2 published in the Journal of International Medical Research shows that the majority of flu patients given Elderberry (Sambucus) were completely symptom-free after just two days.

4. Relax, smile and laugh.Stress can make you more vulnerable to illness. Chronic stress exposes your body to a steady stream of stress hormones that suppress the immune system. Do something you enjoy and that is relaxing. Click here for some relaxing tips.

Laughing is good for you. It curbs the levels of stress hormones in your body and boosts a type of white blood cell that fights infection.

5. Relationships.Having strong relationships and a good social network is healthy. Studies show that people who feel connected to family and friends – whether it’s a few close friends or a large group – have stronger immunity than those who feel alone.

Incorporating these suggestions can help boost your immune system and prepare you for a healthier wintertime season.

October 11, 2014

Is it the ingredients, the formulation of the ingredients, the delivery method or the manufacturing process? Obviously it is yes to all of the above and it can make a significant difference to you. You need to feel confident that you can get the results you want for a happier and healthier lifestyle. It is always wise to check the source.

Ingredients:In my previous post, “Whole Foods for a Happy, Healthy and Productive Life” ingredients in their whole natural state are best. Only Non-treated or steam treated organic and wildcrafted botanicals (herbs) should be used. There are plenty of cheaper ingredients when available and used by many companies.

Formulation:You may have the highest quality ingredients to make chocolate chip cookies but if the proper steps are not followed (correct proportions, order, temperature and time), you will not get a delicious tasting cookie. Only experienced professionals with extensive knowledge of the historical use of herbs can provide formulations that will get results. Formulators for NutriRain have training that includes degrees from The School of Natural Healing.

Delivery Method:Herbal formulations are available in tablet, capsule, pill, liquid, oil and extract states. Oils are external and tablets, capsules, pills and liquids are swallowed. NutriRain chose extracts due to their superiority over other formula states and combined it with an oral sprayer. The sprayer delivers a metered dose of extract formula that is more easily and quickly absorbed by the body. Oral spray is an effective method for the body to assimilate nutrients.

Manufacturing Process:Botanical extracts are best for several reasons. First they are naturally concentrated. For example, extracts used in NutriRain dietary supplement sprays are a 4:1 ratio (4 part herb to 1 part vegetable glycerin or in some cases a small amount of pure grain alcohol). NutriRain uses a proprietary cold percolation process originally developed by the John R. Christopher to ensure that no enzymes are destroyed. This extraction process preserves the natural occurring enzymes in the plant. Unfortunately it’s all too common for other manufacturers to use a heating process which destroys many of the vital nutrients and enzymes in the plant. The glycerin is tested for DEG contamination and is DEG free, kosher, and derived from palm.

Secondly they have a longer shelf life than dry herbs and thirdly they are easy to take (no difficulty swallowing hard tablets or dry capsules). NutriRain also makes them pleasant tasting by adding cinnamon oil (Cinnamomum verum ) for natural flavoring.

CofA’s (Certificates of Analysis) are standard for dietary supplement ingredient sourcing but the manufacturing process for NutriRain includes additional qualifying steps. Each ingredient is validated for efficacy before acceptance for use through High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography and then again once each batch is finished to ensure the highest quality. Many competitors use IR (Infrared) to verify the identity of each plant. This method is cheaper, less accurate & does not have the ability to detect contaminates, such as pesticides in the herb. NutriRain also used Organoleptic testing and a full spectrum of Microbiological Testing on each plant. These tests include TVC (Total Viable Count), yeast and mold counts, coliform counts, E-coli and salmonella. Additional quality assurance tests are performed on all raw materials include High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Gas Chromatography & Heavy Metal ICP-MS test.

This manufacturing process meets and exceeds current government GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) quality standards and is more testing than many competitors. All to ensure the highest quality and consistency. The NutriRain facility is climate-controlled, contains a state of the art laboratory and performs regular in house audits as well as FDA audits

September 26, 2014

Our bodies work hard each day. They require nourishment to supply energy, replenish and repair muscles, organs and skin as well as support the immune system to fight diseases. Each day we consume food and water to provide our bodies with what they need to have a happy, healthy and productive life. How can we get the most of what we eat? Most would agree that a diet of natural healthy foods is the foundation. What is a truly natural food?

The term “natural” has a very broad application by manufactures today. For this discussion, natural is defined “as found in nature” or plants in their whole state or “whole foods.” This includes organic, non-GMO and free of pesticides or other chemicals. ”Wildcrafted1” is whole plants in their natural state. Wildcrafting will be discussed in greater detail in an upcoming article.

"We live in a society that eats so much processed and manufactured food, that I think there's some genuine confusion about what qualifies as a whole food," says Tara Gidus, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

When you eat whole foods, you're getting the food in its natural state," Gidus tells WebMD. "You're getting it intact, with all of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are in the food." Basically, it's the healthy whole food, rather than the bits that remain after refinement and processing2.”

Our bodies are designed to easily recognize whole food as found in nature. Whole food is easily and completely assimilated and utilized by the body. Assimilation is facilitated by the digestive process beginning in the mouth where it is chewed, mixed with saliva and swallowed continuing the process.

Standardized, processed or synthetically produced substances also called food are more difficult for the body to recognize, properly digest and utilize. Plant chemistry is very complex and to attempt to isolate a compound and standardize it is a feeble attempt to improve on nature. Optimal results can best be achieved when trusting the balance and combination of the unique list of compounds found in natural whole foods. All compounds in Echinacea, for example, work properly together for the best result.

We all want to enjoy life to the fullest, feel young and energetic and eliminate disease as much as possible. A diet of whole foods and dietary supplements formulated with whole plants, as found in nature, along with proper exercise, regenerative rest, plenty of fresh air and water and balanced emotions provides the sure foundation. Whether shopping for your dinner menu or selecting the proper dietary supplement, look for whole food/plant sources.

A busy life is the standard for many. It can seem that each day contains new demands placed on you. At the end of the day, do you attempt to make a mental to-do list? Do you ever feel that you will probably forget something? Do you worry? Stress occurs when you perceive that demands on you exceed your capacity to cope1.

According to the American Psychological Association, stress can result in serious health conditions including insomnia, a weakened immune system and other serious health issues1.

Your mind works hard so give it a break. In addition to the mental and emotional ease you deserve, you will be rewarded with better quality sleep.

Step 2: Relax your mind and emotions

Here are some mental and emotional relaxing tips for better sleep.

Do something relaxing you enjoy to unwind2.

Exercise, take up a relaxing activity such as yoga, deep breathing and eat healthy1.

Smile and laugh more. Talk to a friend about anything stressing you1.

Unplug. Light from a TV or digital device suppresses melatonin production and stimulate the mind rather than relaxing it. Read a book, listen to music or try relaxing exercises instead. Make relaxation your goal instead of sleep.

Perform a mental system back up by making a simple to-do list so you can clear your mind. Keep it at your bedside.

Next are some other good practices to help you regenerate your natural sleep cycle.

Set a regular bedtime and routine2.

Take a warm bath2.

Darken your room when it is time to sleep and keep noise down2.

Avoid large meals, caffeine and other stimulants at night2.

Faithfully following a good routine will result in improved sleep quality. If you’re still having trouble, NutriRain’s Sunshine can help support mental and emotional clarity and relaxation. NutriRain’s Delta Sleep support physical and mental relaxation. When taken together, the result is a complete sleep experience addressing mental, emotional and physical relaxation promoting a restored natural sleep cycle.

Wouldn’t you love to drop your head on your pillow and wake up 7-8 uninterrupted hours later, refreshed? There are four stages of sleep, and if you’re not getting a full night’s sleep, chances are, you’re not reaching the fourth, and most restorative stage: Delta Sleep (named for the increase in delta brain waves—very important to your mental abilities).

A good night’s sleep also facilitates the organization of long-term memory. Someday, you’ll want to tell your grandchildren about your daring exploits while you were young. It’d be great if you could remember them. Sleep also integrates new information into your memory. So those Spanish Lessons for your cruise this fall? They’d go much better if you get enough sleep.

My favorite is that effective sleep provides physical regeneration—you know, repairing and renewing of tissues and nerve cells to keep us young and healthy. This is why you are told to “get plenty of rest” whenever healing from sickness (strengthens the immune system) or recovering from physical damage (sprains, wounds, etc.). Sleep also neutralizes neurotoxins (good-by brain fog) and restores normal levels of chemicals in our bodies (time to feel great again!).

Restoring a natural and healthy sleep pattern may take a little time (you didn’t get where you are overnight) and is usually accomplished by implementing a combination of solutions. Since most people reach for supplements first, I will talk about effective supplementation to help restore your natural sleep. Additional steps will be discussed in upcoming sleep posts.

Step 1: Supplements:

Sleeping Pills: Prescription or OTC? This WebMD article outlines the risks of using OTC or prescription drugs. These are not designed to restore natural sleep and can become addictive, impair memory and interfere with restorative sleep.

What about Melatonin? Melatonin is a hormone produced naturally in the pineal gland at the base of the brain. It is important in regulating sleep but production by the body decreases with age. C13H16N2O2, or “5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine widely known as Melatonin found in dietary supplements is a synthetic compound produced in a laboratory. Synthesized melatonin is recommended only for short-term use and may include minor side effects.

The Natural Alternative: Nature provides plant based solutions that are effective and safe. The main ingredient to use is Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) known for its sedative, soothing and calming properties. Valerian in fresh extract form soothes and relaxes nerves which help relieve stress, insomnia, and nervous tension. While Valerian is widely used in dry powder form found in most sleep aids, the dry powder form will only calm nerves and therefore does not aid sleep as effectively as fresh Valerian extract.